Cell having fluorinated carbon cathode and solvated alkali metal salt electrolyte

Abstract

A novel electrochemical cell is disclosed utilizing an alkali metal anode, a fluorinated carbon cathode and a solid electrolyte consisting essentially of one or more solvated metal-alkali metal-halogen compounds of the formula ZMXn wherein Z is an alkali metal, M is a metal selected from the group consisting of Zn, Cd, B, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Sn (stannous), P and As, wherein X is one or more halogens selected from the group consisting of chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine, and wherein n is a numerical value equal to one plus the valence of the metal M. Preferred are the cells wherein the anode is lithium, the cathode is C2F, and the electrolyte consists essentially of solid solvated metal-lithium-halogen salt.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A current producing cell comprising: a. a cathode having a compound formed of fluorine and carbon;   b. an alkali metal-containing anode; and   c. a solid electrolyte consisting essentially of one or more solvated compounds of the formula:   ZMX.sub.n     wherein Z is an alkali metal, wherein M is a metal selected from the group consisting of Zn, Cd, B, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Sn (stannous), P and As, wherein X is one or more halogens selected from the group consisting of chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine, and wherein n is a numerical value equal to one plus the valence of the metal M, said compounds having been solvated with one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted and inertly substituted monoethers and polyethers.     
     
     
       2. The cell of claim 1 wherein the anode is substantially sodium, lithium, potassium, or alloys containing these, and wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of sodium, lithium and potassium. 
     
     
       3. The cell of claim 2 wherein M is selected from the group consisting of B, Al, P and As. 
     
     
       4. The cell of claim 1 wherein the cathode is fluorinated crystalline carbon material. 
     
     
       5. The cell of claim 4 wherein the anode is substantially sodium, lithium, potassium, or alloys containing these, and wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of sodium, lithium and potassium. 
     
     
       6. The cell of claim 5 wherein M is selected from the group consisting of B, Al, P and As. 
     
     
       7. The cell of claim 6 wherein the cathode is CF 2 , wherein the anode is substantially lithium, or a lithium alloy, and wherein X is selected from the group consisting of chlorine and fluorine. 
     
     
       8. An electric cell comprising: a. a cathode containing a cathode-active material formed by reacting graphite with chlorine trifluoride in the presence of HF;   b. a lithium metal-containing anode; and   c. a solid electrolyte consisting essentially of ether solvated LiAsF 6 .   
     
     
       9. The cell of claim 8 wherein the LiAsF 6  has been solvated with dimethoxyethane. 
     
     
       10. A method of operating a current-producing cell, comprising: drawing a current from said cell at a temperature below the melting point of the electrolyte of said cell wherein said cell comprises a cathode having a compound formed of fluorine and carbon, an alkali metal-containing anode, and a solid electrolyte consisting essentially of one or more solvated compounds of the formula:   ZMX.sub.n     wherein Z is an alkali metal, wherein M is a metal selected from the group consisting of Zn, Cd, B, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Sn (stannous), P and As, wherein X is one or more halogens selected from the group consisting of chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine, and wherein n is a numerical value equal to one plus the valence of the metal M, said compounds having been solvated with one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted and inertly substituted monoethers and polyethers.     
     
     
       11. The method of claim 10 wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of sodium, lithium and potassium, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of B, Al, P and As, and wherein X is a halogen selected from the group consisting of chlorine and fluorine. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 11 wherein the anode is substantially lithium or a lithium alloy, and wherein Z is lithium. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim 12 wherein the solid electrolyte consists essentially of ether solvated LiAsF 6 .